Brumbies point the way for Australia's World Cup rivals

Paul Cully

Australia

It's been quite some time since something the Brumbies produced tactically piqued the interest of Test coaches, but what they came up with against the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night is likely to do exactly that.

The question of engineering pressure on Quade Cooper and Will Genia has been puzzling Super Rugby's finest coaching minds all year and a number of strategies have been implemented, with varying degrees of success, but the Brumbies' unrelenting line speed came closer to anyone to seriously rattling them.

The Brumbies' tactics were reminiscent of England's methods against the Wallabies, but with some important differences. Whereas England chose to launch one or two defenders at Cooper, particularly kamikaze openside Lewis Moody, the Brumbies were advancing their whole line to shut out his distribution to the flanks and prepared to scramble hard when breached.

It took the Brumbies all of 15 seconds to make their intentions clear. From just inside their own 10m line, Cooper slung a wide, flat ball to Ben Daley in midfield that was almost picked off by Ben Alexander as the Brumbies forwards did what they are supposed to do - move forward - at a rate of knots to meet the ball carriers.

Slipping through Alexander's hands, Daley transferred it to James Horwill but he was thrown to the ground by the exceptional Mark Chisholm just over halfway and coughed it up to Henry Speight. The winger dashed forward and at the next ruck Chisholm came piling through again, lifting up Cooper like a tackle bag and driving him into the turf. Four phases later, the Brumbies won their first penalty and three points but more importantly the message had been sent. It was aggressive and in-your-face. They would meet the Reds flat attack head on and God help any glamour back who got caught up in the heavy lifting around the ruck (It is one of this year's cruel ironies that Chisholm - a sleeping giant for

much of the season - would end his outstanding game with his knee busted and World Cup hopes shattered).

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Fifty-one minutes after that first exchange, another Cooper pass would illustrate just how well the Brumbies had done their homework and how Cooper was struggling with the scrutiny. From one of his best counter-attacking opportunities in the game, Cooper took a scrambled clearance from Matt Giteau about 40m out, but confronted with an organised kick chase, from the low numbers to the high ones, he chose to throw another wide flat pass towards replacement back Will Chambers. Adam Ashley-Cooper came screaming onto it from the left wing and was away until Luke Morahan dragged him down to force a Brumbies knock-on. On many other occasions Ashley-Cooper would have been under the posts.

Wallabies fans with an understanding of sporting karma (and Cooper's admiration for Carlos Spencer) have long been haunted by the prospect of a match-turning intercept against the Wallabies from such a overly ambitious piece of play, and Cooper's decision-making under the Brumbies spotlight will have done little to alleviate the fear.

One coach who will be poring over the vision with particular interest is Wales' Kiwi coach Warren Gatland. Based on current rankings there is a handy possibility that Australia and Wales will meet in a World Cup quarter-final in Wellington on October 8 and Gatland is a coach who has made his reputation from rushing defence, having won an NPC title with Waikato in 2006 with the tactic before being lured overseas.

Gatland would also be happily noting how Chisholm isolated Cooper from a lineout turnover and ran over the top of him to set up Mitch Chapman's disallowed try, proving you can run but not hide.

Welsh rugby is not exactly brimming with confidence, but previous World Cups (and the Brumbies on Saturday) have shown the danger of a wounded opponent playing with a mixture of personal pride, desperation and the glorious inhibition of the underdog. And while is it only a hypothetical and the moment and not worth spending too much time on, that October 8 date has the potential to be a more worrying day for Wallabies fans than fixtures deeper in the tournament. Pencil it into your diary with a question mark or two.

But we should be careful to note that Cooper's off night does not signal a sudden nose-diving of the Wallabies prospects. On the same paddock Stephen Moore was producing one of the outstanding hooking performances of the season, scattering defenders with his charges in the tight and competing hard at the breakdown. Surely this time next year as Brumbies captain he'll be able to repeat back Giteau's already infamous "I'm the captain" put-down to the No.10 should he ring in some advice from Toulon.

Ben Alexander was another beneficiary from a high work rate, although troubling questions remain about his scrum work and specifically his ability to attract penalties.

Ashley-Cooper was akin to the bloke witnessed last year, finally getting that swerve and fend going, and the pre-Disneyland Digby Ioane showed again that in the absence of the injured Isaia Toeava he is the tournament's best linebreaker.

But the "starch" that Robbie Deans had mentioned last week wasn't isolated to Suncorp Stadium.

For all the pleasure the Force took in repeating Jamie Joseph's clumsy "schoolboys" line to the Highlanders coach, Wallabies selectors will be satisfied on a much deeper level - namely by their ability to go the 80 minutes. It has been an Achilles heel in Australian rugby for years but the likes of Matt Hodgson, David Pocock and Nathan Sharpe got stronger as the game went on.

Hodgson, in particular, used the occasion and Beau Robinson's absence to send a powerful message to Deans with his support work and understanding with Ben McCalman and Pocock.

Of course, it took some individual magic from an adopted Kiwi, David Smith, to finish off the home side, but the tide had well and truly turned by then against a home side with some genuine All Black contenders.

Mention too must be made of the stern stuff exhibited by the depleted Waratahs pack in the face of the Bulls driving maul, which they negated, Sitaleki Timani again showing his appetite for destruction.

The Rebels' Hugh Pyle also displayed an appealing desire to mix it with the Stormers, even exchanging a few wild air swings in the second-half, which is always a promising sign.

There seems to be every sign that a spot is being held open for Dan Vickerman - or at least he is being extended every possible opportunity to grab it - but if that is the case some younger candidates with strong campaigns behind them (throw in Sam Wykes) could feel rightly aggrieved.

The injuries: The unlucky Mark Chisholm must now start concentrating on getting his body right for his post-Australia campaign. Anthony Faingaa is out for a month, but not before he put his hand up for the Wallabies No.12 - or No.13 - jersey.

The wildcard: Paddy Dellit. Hasn't put a foot wrong since his introduction to the big time and brings directness and versatility.

New Zealand

Close your eyes ... here comes Stephen Donald.Photo: Getty Images

It can't be much fun having your jaw broken two times in the one season, but if it is still possible to force a smile from a twice re-wired mug then one would be spreading from ear to ear on Colin Slade.

Of course, the sidelined Highlanders No.10 would prefer to be presenting him own case for World Cup inclusion, building on two promising midseason showings, but it could have been much worse.

Stephen Donald could be managing to convince the selectors once again that he was the man for the job with his strong midfield running and improved game management.

Luke McAlister could be persuading those in power that he is more than just a fine No.12 whose goalkicking stands up to pressure and poor weather.

Aaron Cruden could be offering evidence that he is not one or two years away from Test readiness.

And Mike Delany could be playing.

Happily for Slade, none of those scenarios are occurring and the Donald v McAlister error-strewn duel during the Blues v Chiefs game at Eden Park on Saturday night continued to advance Slade's claims in absentia. You could even argue that his injury is saving him from being dragged down by the Highlanders late-season slump, as is happening to loose-

head Jamie Mackintosh, who is now well behind Wyatt Crockett in the pecking order.

Right from the kick-off, when Donald misjudged the win and kicked the ball dead, the Chiefs No.10 gave the sort of performance that would have been a liability in higher company, where simple mistakes can quickly snowball towards calamity.

Donald has some excellent attributes, especially his straight running and reliable defence, but it is no coincidence that the Chiefs looked at their most threatening when Mils Muliaina took it to the line and surveyed the options ahead of him. The classy No.15's work in possession on Saturday had the effect of simultaneously creating threats for his team and highlighting the gap between a genuine Test back and what Donald is, a solid Super performer who threw three forward passes in the first half alone with the Chiefs looking dangerous.

There was no small irony that Muliaina stepped up for the Chiefs as Donald laboured on Saturday night. Back in 2009, he played that role to McAlister when he was rushed back into the Test team at No.10 to face Italy at Christchurch.

The All Blacks produced their worst display in recent times, during which Muliaina had to step in to first receiver several times as an underdone McAlister's game - and confidence - started to fall apart.

McAlister is a much fitter prospect now, but even his strongest selling point at No.10 - his goalkicking - fell apart on Saturday, managing to nail just two shots from five.

But while the pivots' performances would have prompted a call from Graham Henry to Slade to inquire how that jaw was coming along, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui and Liam Messam did themselves no harm at all. Sivavatu, especially, was at the heart of the Chiefs' best moments.

Wing play, much like nostalgia, isn't what it used to be and it is Sivivatu's grasp of the modern role that endears him to the All Blacks selectors. He is as much a creator as an out-and-out finisher, popping up at second receiver and attracting defenders with a sudden change of pace and direction to create room for others rather than simply trying to smash through or around like Hosea Gear.

His work for the Chiefs' try showed just what he brings. With the Blues stretched after a vintage Tana Umaga break, the Chiefs looked to Sivivatu in midfield, he bumped off McAlister and found Umaga on the wing with a lofted pass to plough over. It will be interesting to see whether the All Blacks can find room for both Sivivatu and Gear in the same team, forcing a shift for one of them to the right wing.

But while the selection picture becomes clearer for Sivivatu, the second-row waters continue to be muddy. For all of Ali Williams' aerial excellence, he appeared to be struggling in pursuit of big prop Ben May in the first half and the quality of his around-the-field contribution remains debatable. But the same could easily be said of Anthony Boric, who should

be looking over his shoulder nervously at Jarrad Hoeata. The Highlander is a more physical player than Boric and tops the tournament for tackles made. In addition his ability to cover No.6 might allow the All Blacks to pick Matt Todd as specialist cover at No.7 to Richie McCaw, who must be causing some worried frowns with that recurring foot injury.

The news is much better on another champion who has had a patchwork year. Ma'a Nonu terrorised the Lions midfield - benefiting from the width and speed of Piri Weepu's passing from the base - when he started to carry the ball directly in the second half in Wellington, producing one memorable offload for Gear. There is a credible theory that Nonu's lower-to-the ground style might be better suited to wet conditions and heavier surfaces than Sonny Bill Williams, but it is also possible that a knockout blow might never be landed in their competition for the No.12 jersey, the coaches instead opting for a horses-for-courses approach. Either way, we'll all be watching when they collide for the first time in two weeks.

The injuries: All Blacks fans, if you really like to frighten yourself, Google 'Wayne Rooney' or 'David Beckham' and 'metatarsal' and 'World Cup'.

The wildcard: The rugged No.8 play of Nasi Manu has been a standout all year, and if injuries were to strike in that position, he'd be a genuine candidate.

South Africa

Have the Melbourne Rebels played Bryan Habana back into form.Photo: Getty Images

In months to come Peter de Villiers might just send a cheeky 'thank you' note to Melbourne Rebels HQ for playing some of his favourite players into a bit of form on Friday night.

Bryan Habana's struggles have been a bemusing sub-plot to an otherwise impressive Stormers campaign. Playing behind a rampaging loose forward trio and outside world rugby's finest centre combination, Habana has cut a frustrated figure all year as a million little mistakes nibbled away at the reservoir of self belief he had built up in preceding years.

The pace was still there, although not quite at the Mach 4 of his best years, as was his commitment to defence and the kick chase, but some of his passing and kicking options this year have been lamentable.

But on Friday night, against an opposition whose commitment might have been drained by a long first season, there was a flash of the Habana so feared by oppositions around the world.

Pleasingly for de Villiers, it also involved Ricky Januarie. From an attacking scrum about 15m out, Januarie peeled off the back and took a short ball from No.8 Duane Vermeulen. Taking the ball to the line and shaping to hit a runner in midfield, Januarie held the ball up nicely to find Habana swooping around from the blindside wing and the Springboks flyer burst into the gap to crash over.

It was classic Springboks/Bulls rugby, a move seen repeatedly down the years when Habana would link with Fourie du Preez at either Test or Super level.

His reaction was more relief than joy, but the immediate confidence dividend was seen later in the match as Habana, spying an intercept on the left wing, nearly grasped a wide pass from the Rebels as the hosts chased the game. This is Habana at his most lethal, playing on his toes and coming off his wing to cut off the attack.

The winger's timing was important in more ways than one, with Sharks rival Lwazi Mvovo showing his stunning pace and power in a crucial long-range try against the Cheetahs. Receiving the ball 70m out against a disorganised defensive line, Mvovo hit the accelerator on the outside before cutting back and going over in an impressive burst that changed the match.

Back in Melbourne, Januarie had a game Nick Phipps won't forget in a hurry, bullying the Rebels No.9 all night with a mixture of the illegal and street smart, and setting up his attack strongly.

The chunky Januarie's selection in the Springboks over a period of time has been a point of debate, but deeds such as his brilliant individual try to earn South Africa's first win in Dunedin are not easily forgotten by selectors who demand players for the big stage.

Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie also accepted the Rebels' invitation to highlight their attacking gifts, cutting them apart with their clever angles and outright pace. Fourie has a unique running style - upright and head back - that clearly disguises his top-end pace, because there have been few to catch him once he is away. Injuries have not always been

kind to him, but he remains essential to the Springboks' hopes.

Yet the work of all of the backs was little compared to another mammoth shift by Schalk Burger. It's always a worry for opponents when Burger appears so cheery as he has done in the past three weeks (his happy disposition is at odds with the physical mayhem that accompanies him on the field) but the big Springbok is simply in outstanding form.

An abiding memory of Burger is accepting a kick-off from the All Blacks a number of years ago and running as hard as he could straight at Jerry Collins. It's why, when he addressed his troops in the second half against the Rebels, men such as Andries Bekker listened to him with the look of respectful schoolboys.

His back-row accomplice at Test level in recent times, the excellent Juan Smith, further cheered the hearts of Boks fans by announcing over the weekend that he was only weeks away from running, making a Cup return from his Achilles injury much more likely than initially thought.

On the other side of the good news ledger, time is running out for John Smit to convince anyone that he can be selected with confidence as a prop in the Springboks starting XV.

Of course, his inclusion in South Africa's squad is already a fait accompli, based on his experience and strong captaincy, but Cheetahs v Sharks game yet again illustrated the weakness of his propping game game as opposed to his play at hooker.

Within three minutes referee Marius Jonker had penalised Smit for failing to get his binding up on Cheetahs tight-head WP Nel at scrum time.

Five minutes later Smith was struggling again, putting his hand on the ground to support himself and saved only by a mistake by Jonker, who was at the other side of the scrum and penalising Coonie Oosthuizen, coincidentally just one of the loose-head options who have shown better form than Smit this year.

Oosthuizen will probably not make the Springboks squad, as questions over his scrummaging technique seem set in the minds of the whistleblowers, and the Cup will be poorer for it. Almost comically athletic for such a big man (127kg), Oosthuizen is one of those players that could become a cult hero at the tournament.

The injuries: Fourie du Preez. Reports from the Republic indicate that he might make a quicker-than-expected return from a knee injury in this weekend's blockbuster against the Stormers.

The wildcard: Ryan Kankowski. Made a low key return for the Sharks, and needs to lift if he wants to cement a place in the back row.